First Priority held its second City-Wide Campus Ministry Network Luncheon of the year on Friday, March 13, 2015, at Valleydale Church in Birmingham. Nearly 50 youth leaders and children’s ministers across the Greater-Birmingham area attended for a time of equipping, encouragement and fellowship. Everyone enjoyed a delicious lunch from Shane’s Rib Shack.
Our special guest speaker Dr. Allen Jackson, Professor of Youth Education and Collegiate Ministry at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, brought an inspirational message about the DNA of Discipleship. “Adults have to be discipled and taught first before they can teach others,” said Dr. Jackson.
Understanding Discipleship
1) Disciple or Disciple Making – teach someone how to follow Jesus. Replication – we’re not asking someone to do something we’re not doing.
2) Discipleship – a long obedience in the same direction. A lifelong journey of obedience to Christ, which transforms a person’s values and behavior and results in ministry in one’s home, church and the world.
The Golden Triangle of Spiritual Transformation – Discipleship
1) We’re living in the everyday world – we live in a fallen world, and need to walk through this world with peace and faith.
2) Work of the Holy Spirit – only the Holy Spirit allows us to walk each day with joy. It is because of the Holy Spirit that we’re able to have joy in suffering.
3) Spiritual Disciplines – spiritual gifts. God will amplify what we’re good at.
Instruction Code for Disciples
1) Scripture Memory – important, pays spiritual dividend.
2) Hermeneutics – The Grand Narrative. Read and interpret text in consideration of the type of literature. Don’t try to make scripture say what it doesn’t say.
3) Testimony – make it personal and keep it Christ-centered. Use the Word of God; scripture adds power.
4) Evangelistic Presentation – share in a way that someone could begin to follow Jesus in an authentic and Biblical way.
5) Gospel-Centered Social Justice – The Care Effect. Experience the power of caring. Minister to those who don’t know God. Speak life into the incarcerated.
“Discipleship is not complete until the disciple becomes the disciple maker,” said Dr. Jackson. “Discipleship is hours of casual conversations and intentional moments with a few moments of drama. It has to involve relationships. A single conversation across the table with a wise man is better than 10 years mere study of books. Discipleship has to involve process and content.”
We would like to thank Dr. Jackson again for his encouragement and knowledge he shared that will help youth pastors make disciples. We would also like to give a special thanks to our sponsors who helped make this event a huge success: YM360, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and YMCA Hargis Retreat. Representatives from these organizations provided youth leaders with educational material about their programs and upcoming events. Please take time to visit their Web sites. We would like to thank all those again who attended and joined us for a great time of growth and fellowship.